Dr. Indra Mohindra

OPTOMETRIST

Dr. Mohindra has more than four decades of experience specializing in pediatric vision, binocular vision disorders and low vision rehabilitation. Renowned for her expertise in the non-surgical management of pediatric and adult binocular vision disorders, she is one of the top refractionists (measurement of vision for spectacles, contact lenses, or low vision aids) in the United States.

Education: Dr. Mohindra is a graduate of City University in London and Indiana University at Bloomington.

Teaching Dr. Mohindra has been a Professor of Optometry at the New England College of Optometry (formerly the Massachusetts College of Optometry), Indiana University, the University of Houston, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Staff Appointments: Dr. Mohindra has held clinical positions at optometry practices, schools, and hospitals in Massachusetts including metropolitan Boston, New England, and throughout the United States. She has also held clinical positions in optometry practices, schools, and hospitals in England and Kenya. Dr. Mohindra served as staff optometrist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for more than 25 years.

Honors: Dr. Mohindra is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).

Memberships: American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Massachusetts Society of Optometry (MSO, including membership of the Vision Training Committee).

Research: Dr. Mohindra’s innovative research in infant vision and infant refraction resulted in a new technique for refracting infants and non-verbal patients without the use of unpleasant eye drops—now known as The Mohindra Technique. The Mohindra Technique is taught in all optometry schools. Her discoveries about the development of infant vision have been published in the journal Science. The author of more than 25 articles published in the scientific and medical literature, Dr. Mohindra has made numerous presentations of her findings, and her lectures are in high demand. Dr. Mohindra continues to develop diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for patient care.

Clinical Goals: Over the years, Dr. Mohindra has developed her own private practices, where she helped both students and working adults to correct and manage their vision disorders and maximize their performance—including patients whose previous treatment had been unsuccessful. She continues to be heavily involved in helping school-aged students whose visual problems are affecting their learning process and abilities.

EVALUATION & TREATMENT FOR VISION DISORDERS
After it has been determined that there is no medical cause for a patient’s visual disorder, they are referred to Dr. Mohindra for evaluation. The initial evaluation is approximately 1 hour in duration. A series of tests is employed to determine whether or not a significant binocular or low vision problem exists; and, if so, a treatment plan is determined. Treatment may include prescribing eyeglasses with both the usual prescription lenses and a special form of prism, special low-vision aids, and/or prescribing vision therapy exercises. Much as one’s body and health can improve with physical exercise, it is equally possible to overcome many vision disorders by doing personalized eye exercises on a regular basis. Over time, it is often possible for patients to not only succeed but excel at their daily activities; at school, work and elsewhere.

EXAMPLES OF VISION DISORDERS
A visual problem affecting a major portion of the population is “near-point fatigue”, or near-point insufficiency syndrome. It is most noticeable during concentrated and prolonged activity at a distance of less than arm’s length – most often computer or offline reading tasks. The most common symptoms include discomfort, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Diplopia, or “double vision”, occurs when due to a physical misalignment of the eyes (horizontal, vertical or both), the patient sees a double image instead of a single image.

Strabismus, or “crossed / wall eyes”, is a condition in which a person’s eyes are physically misaligned (horizontally, vertically or both) in one of several ways. Strabismus can cause diplopia and/or reduced depth perception, which can result in near-point fatigue.

Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”, is when due to a lack of treatment at an early age (e.g. preschool), vision in one or both eyes is weaker than normal for the person’s age.

Low vision – a level of vision that prevents the patient from performing their daily activities, even with regular prescription eyeglasses.

Dr. Mohindra has expertise in treating children, youth and adults, and is able to successfully treat many of the above conditions. In all of the above conditions, the earlier a patient is examined, the more successful their treatment.

It is very important to have children examined starting at birth for medical eye conditions and by age 3 for visual function – especially to detect possible amblyopia.

A significant issue for all of the above disorders is the ability to drive a motor vehicle. In many cases, Dr. Mohindra is able to rehabilitate patients to the point that they are able to drive.